A year ago, I stepped on a scale. The numbers staring back at me weren’t a combination I’d seen before. I was the heaviest I’d ever been. Without giving you exact intel on that number, let’s just say I was much closer to 300 pounds than 200.

I was shocked. I shouldn’t have been, considering that I rarely exercised and got Chinese takeout at least once a week.

I’ve always been big, thick, chubby, fat – whatever word you prefer to describe the state of obesity. I post a throwback Thursday photo each week that pictures my round cheeks. I was a cute kid (and humble). But I was a fat kid. A fat kid, who became a fat teenager and then a fat adult.

Proof that Elizabeth was a chubby kid.

But for the first time in my life – as I looked at those three numbers- my weight scared me. At 23, I was morbidly obese and doing nothing about it.

I had dieted, exercised and played sports for much of my life, but had never had much luck in shedding pounds and keeping them off.

It was time to do something about it.

Elizabeth singing karaoke in Ybor City a few days before she decided to make a change.

I walked into Seaward Crossfit the next morning. It was a Saturday and I was almost as scared as I had been when I saw my weight on the scale. Would I be able to do the workout? Will I pass out or puke or both? Will people stare at me? Will I be the only fat person among a group of beautifully sculpted athletes?

I don’t remember the exact workout, but I know it included burpees and running – to this day, two of my least favorite movements. I finished half of the workout. I was sweaty and breathless. I didn’t pass out or puke – thank God. No one pushed me to go past my comfortable limits. Everyone was encouraging.

Man, do I wish I had finished that first WOD (workout of the day).

I know I could have, but I didn’t have the confidence in myself.

Left: Elizabeth in October 2013. Right: Elizabeth in October 2014.

Now, a year later, I’m an avid CrossFitter. I’ve lost 45 pounds; dropping below 200 pounds is in my sights. I’ve cut countless inches from all over my body and am wearing clothing sizes I haven’t worn since elementary school. Not to mention I can do most of my shopping in the regular women’s section and not from the plus size racks.

Some WODs still kick my ass. Some WODs get their asses kicked by me. A couple of WODs, I’ve finished in tears. Others, I’ve finished with ice cold beers. But since that first day, I’ve finished every single one.

We live in a society where we like immediate results. We don’t like to wait more than a minute for someone to respond to our text. If a webpage loads slowly, we threaten to throw the computer out of the window. I wanted to lose more than 100 pounds and I wanted to lose them now.

Left: Elizabeth on St. Patrick’s Day 2013. Right: Elizabeth on St. Patrick’s Day 2015

But it doesn’t work that way. The weight slowly dropped – a pound here, a pound there. My weight-loss would plateau. I would adjust my calorie intake and change up the amount of proteins, fats and carbohydrates I was eating.

I haven’t had the drastic transformation you see in before/after photos in magazines. I’m still fat, but not as fat as I was. The clothes I’ve worn for the last seven years fall off of me. I’ve had to replace my entire wardrobe, mostly with the basics since I keep losing more weight and having to replace them. The pounds are still slowly dropping off. While I try to maintain a mostly paleo diet (meat and veggies, to put it simply), I still drink beer and occasionally eat bread.

If you want to lose weight or change your body, here are my tips:

(Don’t worry. I promise not to lure you into the CrossFit/Paleo lifestyle.)

Find an effective workout you enjoy.

For me, it’s CrossFit. For you, it might be spinning or aerial yoga or kick-boxing. Whatever it is, make sure it’s something you want to do on the reg.

Have rest days.

If you work out every single day, your body will burn out and your muscles won’t get the recovery they need.

Find healthy foods you like to eat.

Don’t think of this as a diet. Think of it as a lifestyle change that you can maintain indefinitely.

Record your food.

You’d be surprised what you eat on a daily basis. I use MyFitnessPal.

Have cheat days

Because sometimes you just need pizza.

Be accountable.

Have friends or coaches who will bug you when you skip the gym too many days in a row.

Don’t be afraid to spend money.

Before CrossFit, I was spending $10 a month on a gym membership that I wasn’t using. CrossFit and other training programs are expensive, but I’d consider it one of the best investments I’ve ever made because it’s an investment in my future and my health.

When all else fails, eat sweet potatoes.

They’re good for you, easy to make and filling. I eat a lot of sweet potatoes.